Automatic gas-extinguisher.



H. HAVVLEY.

AUTOMATIC GAS BXTINGUISHER.

APPLICATION FILED Nov. 20, 1913.

Patented Mar. 3, 1914.

UNTTED sTATEs PATENT oEEIcE.

EDWIN H. HAWLEY, 0F WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.

AUTOMATIC GAS-EXTINGUISHER.

To all 'whom 'it may concern Be it known that I, EDWIN H. HAwLEY, citizen of the United States, residing at Washington, in the District of Columbia, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Gas-Extinguishers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to gas burners, and its objectis to prevent the escape of gas in case the flame is extinguished without turning off the cock.

rIo this end it consists in a thermostatic device attached to the gas burner, which sets a trigger when the gas is lighted, said trigger engaging with detents on the stop cock of the burner and holding it open until the trigger is trip-pcd by the cooling of the thermostatic device upon the extinguishing of the dame. When this occurs, a spring or equivalent element closes the stop cock.

I am aware that in its broad aspects this invention is not new. My invention is therefore limited to a specific form of that class of thermostatic devices in which the eXpansion of air is utilized to operate the stop cock. Air does not deteriorate by repeated heating and cooling, and its container. can be made of such a shape that it will cool quickly and thus cause a prompt action of the closing mechanism. Y

Various modes of carrying my invention into effect may be devised, but I prefer the specific construction shown in the accompanying drawing, in which- Figure 1 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of a gas burner equipped with my improved automatic closing device. Fig. 2 is a sectional elevation of the stop cock. Figs. 3, 4 and 5 show the spindle of the stop cock in three different positions. Y

The stop cock is of the ordinary variety, having a tapering plug 1 fitting a socket in a casing 2, said plug having a passage 3 for the gas which can be made to register with the longitudinal passage 4 in the casing. rIhe smaller end of the plug in my stop cock is turned down to receive a drum 5 which is secured in place by a screw 6 tapped into the end of the plug. Means for rotating the plug to its closed position are applied to this drum, preferably a coiled spring 7 having one end att-ached to said drum and the other to a stud 8 projecting from the casing. A stop 9 on the plug strikes'a shoulder 10 on the casing when the plug reaches its closed position. Un the Specification of Letters Patent.

Application led November 20, 1913.

Patented Mar. 3, i914. Serial No. 802,087.

plug are mounted two catches 11 12 set in different planes of revolution and angularly spaced apart.

A base 13 is erected on the casing 2 having a passage 14 for the gas which terminates in a suitable tip 15. From said base rise standards 1G which support the air chamber 17. This is preferably annular to let the hot gases pass up vthrough it, and is preferably somewhat like a frustum of a cone, with curved walls aifording large heating and cooling surfaces. The chamber is preferably spun up out of thin sheet metal, such as copper. rIhe upper ends of the standards 16 are secured to a flange 18 at the lower edge of the chamber, and this may be reinforced by al ring 19 if desired. The chamber is held at such a height above the tip 15 as not to obstruct the light from the frame, but near enough to be quickly heated thereby. From one side of the air chamber 17 projects a horn 20 whose mouth is closed by a thin flexible diaphragm 21 of sheet metal, and in order to make the joints of the chamber, horn and diaphragm air tight the entire structure is electroplated with copper after it is made up.

A bracket 22 is secured to the flange of the air chamber and serves as the fulcrum, for a lever 23 whose upper end carries a set screw 24 located opposite the middle of the diaphragm 21. rThe lower end of the lever has a limited play in a guide 25 attached to the base 13. It terminates in the vicinity of the catches 11 12 and operates as a trigger to release the stop cock in a manner now to be described.

The weight of the trigger tends to keep it in the position shown in full lines, with its lower end in line with the catch 11. lVhen the stop cock is turned to let on the gas. the catch 11 strikes the trigger and pushes it inwardly by reason of the beveled surfaces on the catch and trigger. As soon as the catch passes the trigger, the latter drops back into place and prevents the stop cock from being rotated by its spring. This condition of things is shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The heat of the gas flame soon causes 'the air in the chamber 17 to expand and push the diaphragm 21 out to the dotted line position. The diaphragm comes in contact with the set screw 24 and forces the upper end of the trigger outwardly. This swings its lower end inwardly, as shown in dotted lines, taking it out of engagement with the catch 1l and bringing it into line with the catch l2. The spring 7 attempts to turn the stop cock when the catch ll is released, but the trigger engages the catch l2 and permits only a slight angular movement of the cock. The position of the parts is shown in Fig. 4, and is maintained so long as the gas isburning. Now, if the flame is accidentally extinguished without shutting off the gas, the rapid cooling of the air chamber allows the diaphragm to return to its normal position, and this permits the trigger to swing outwardly and release the catch 12, whereupon the spring instantly rotates the stop cock to its closed position (Fig. 5). By means of the set screw 2l the action of the parts can be readily adjusted.

It will be seen that in my device there .are no soldered or brazed joints to be ruined by the heat of the flame; there are no unwieldy thermostatic strips or bars to become burned out; no operative parts that are slow to respond to changes in temperature. )Iy device will shut off the gas in fifteen or twenty seconds after the flame is extinguished, and is not injured by repeated heatings and coolings.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, I have described the principle of operation of my invention, together with the apparatus which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof, but I desire to have it understood that the apparatus shown is only illustrative and that the invention can be carried out by other means.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. The combination with a gas burner having a self closing stop cock, of an annular air chamber located above said burner and arranged to be heated by the gas flame and having a flexible portion, and a` trigger adapted to be operated by said flexible portion and thereby release the stop cock.

Q. T he combination with a gas burner having a self closing stop cock, of an annular air chamber made of thin sheet metal and located above said burner, a flexible diaphragm carried by said chamber, and a trigger arranged adjacent to said diaphragm and operating to release said stop cock.

3. The combination with a gas burner having a self closing stop cock.v of an annular air chamber made of thin sheet metal and located above said burner, a horn projecting from said chamber, a flexible diaphragm closing the mouth of said horn, and a trigger having one end adjacent to said diaphragm and operating to release said stop cock.

al. The combination with a gas burner having a self closing stop cock, of an air chamber composed of thin sheet metal, said chamber being annular in shape and resembling a frustum of a cone, with curved Walls.

In testimony whereof I aix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

EDVIN H. HAVLEY. witnesses E. H. MCLACHLEN, G. P. VVHITTLESEY. 

